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Tigers Roar Back for 3rd in Beacon Softball Tourney
P.V. edges Haldane in consy round
by Ray Gallagher
 | | Putnam Valley catcher Natalia Stockinger pus a neat tag along the back of Haldane "baserunner" in the Tigers' 8-7 win over the Blue Devils in the Beacon Tournament Saturday. |
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With a fourth-place showing in the Beacon Tournament over the weekend and a 4-0 win over visiting Blind Brook Monday, the Haldane softball team had mixed reviews last week. The Blue Devils were beaten 8-7 in the consolation round when Putnam Valley erased a six-run deficit to stun the Blue Devil faithful. Class B heavyweight Albertus Magnus, the eventual tourney champs, knocked off the Blue Devils in the opening round while the host Bulldogs did likewise to Put Valley (7-5).
Against improving Putnam Valley, Holly Whitson and Irina Impelittiere each stroked back-to-back, run-scoring singles in the second inning and Brittany Shields did more of the same in the third to pull away from the Tigers, 7-1. But the Tigers came roaring back. Kristin Brown was 3-for-4 with a double while Jackie Gallagher and Erica Fisher were 2-for-3 with an RBI. 2B Ciara Walsh was 1-for-3 with a double and two huge RBI.
"Kristin Brown has been consistent all season long for us," Tigers Coach Heather Miench stated. "She has a great swing and has started a lot of our hitting rallies through the season.
"The girls just seem to follow her lead when it comes to hitting confidence," Miench added. "Jackie Gallagher has just recovered from an injury and has jumped back into full swing. She is aggressive at the plate and an asset to our team. Erica Fisher had a great game at the plate. She has really come around the last few games."
SS Deanna Mazzola is a three-year player and captain, who was solid at short.
Natalia Stockinger impressed behind the plate for the Tigers. The junior's strong arm keeps base runners honest. She also has a powerful swing at the plate and leads the team in RBI with 18.
Haldane came out strong and went up 7-1 going into the bottom of the third. Putnam Valley bounced back with four runs the bottom half of the inning, and followed it up one in the fourth, and two in the fifth to tie and go ahead.
"Our girls stayed aggressive at the plate and on the base path throughout the game," Miench said. "I was impressed by their focus in the box.
"The coach was also impressed by Putnam Valley freshman Cassie Girvalo. The right-hander whiffed seven Blue Devils.
"Cassie's focus on the mound was clear," Miench stated. "Cassie has come a long way already. Her maturity and coach-ability will make it easy for her to consistently improve.
"Lisikatos is a great pitcher, too" Miench added. "She is clearly dedicated and works hard. It was nice for our girls to face a strong pitcher, remain confident in themselves and be successful.
Impelittiere continued her hot streak with a two-run single against Blind Brook and pitcher Chelsea Lisakatos backed her own cause with a solo homer, not that she needed any backing. The eight-grade whiz spun another gem, fanning 10 and allowing just four hits. She walked just one batter and continues to look like the next big windmiller to take Section 1 by storm. Lisikatos and the Blue Devils could be prepping for another big run at the Section 1 Class C title this June.
Please visit www.directrays.com to view Section 1 sports photo galleries.
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